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Real Estate Photography Basics: HDR Vs Flambient
What Real Estate Agents Need to Know
Are you a real estate agent who is looking to improve your marketing presence, impress sellers at your next listing presentation, and/or just provide the best looking images to sell you listings?
If so, you may not be aware that there are 2 commonly practiced methods by professional photographers, The HDR (High Dynamic Range) method and Flash (Flambient) method. I created a entire blog post regarding the differences between the two methods, and which is the best option for your next listing. To read the full break down, CLICK HERE.
This page is dedicated to showing a few examples and Highlight the pros and cons of both methods. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to CONTACT ME HERE!
HDR Photography
HDR photography is a process that combines multiple photos (exposures) into one, giving the final image a greater range of contrast between the brightest and darkest spots in a photo. HDR photos are particularly useful in real estate photography, as they can help to show a property with hard lighting in a more evenly/consistent final image. HDR method allows photographers to capture a greater range of tonal detail than what is possible with a single exposure - this is why it became the industry standard for a long time. HDR photography is still a popular method that a lot of real estate photographers to this day. . When done correctly, HDR photography can be a very powerful tool for showcasing a property with a more evenly lit image but does have its pros and cons.
Campus Park Area Kitchen - HDR Photography
FLASH Photography
Flash Photography, aka the ‘flambient’ method, is the newest style of real estate photography that is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. When good flash photos are taken, the final images produced are more realistic and lifelike than traditional HDR photos. Flash photography can produce a higher level of detail. This is because ‘flambient’ process uses both types of light, Flash and Ambient, and then using the best of both light sources to offset shadows and highlights; thus making the image appear more lifelike and accurate. While you may think the purpose of a flash is to brighten a room (which it can), the main benefit of flash photography, specific in real estate, is to capture authentic colors in a space and produce a well-lit image that is not washed out all while preserving the clarity and details in the image that get lost in HDR photography.
Campus Park Area Kitchen - Flash Photography
Quick Summary
With HDR, there is a dull and washed-out look to the picture as a whole, with inaccurate coloring everywhere. The windows usually look blown out and are not viewable (unless you get the right day and time to shoot HDR). The ceilings and white walls tend to have a color cast of gray or yellow and are not a good look. When you compare the following examples, take note of the difference between the two methods: notice how striking the difference in color is (especially with the wood), Notice how the image looks sharper, how the colors are more vibrant, and how the ceiling is more true to white, also notice the window views. The Hand blended flash method creates a scene that is more accurate than what you would view with your eyes. This is because an actual human blends the lighting as opposed to an automated software that attempts to reproduce the brightness, colors, and lighting as a whole from multiple images.
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